On Tuesday 10th May, Witchampton primary school’s Badgers Class (Years 1 and 2) had a wonderful visit to Launceston Farm to enhance their learning in Science and Design Technology.
They began by looking for signs of spring, noticing that the calves had been born and many plants were beginning to bloom. Next they collected different petals and leaves to create their own spring bracelets. The class had fun tracking the journey of a wheat seed and seeing it grow in the field before making bread themselves. No pesticides are used at the organic Launceston Farm. This meant that there was a wide variety of plants and insects to observe among the wheat. The group also made their own butter by shaking a container full of double cream. They were then able to spread their homemade butter on their own still-warm fresh-baked bread and enjoy it – the perfect end to a wonderful morning on the farm.
The most common inheritance issues aren’t by people complaining about what they’re been left, explains an expert from Porter Dodson
Many will have seen in the media that disputes about loved one’s estates are increasingly common, making juicy tabloid stories such as “Brother wins £1million inheritance fight after sister told dad he was a criminal” or “Bitter inheritance battle over £2m share of family farm”. While most publicised cases involve a challenge to a will or a claim for provision from an estate, the majority of our recent enquiries don’t actually involve people unhappy with what they have been left by the deceased. Instead, more often they relate to being upset with the way the estate is being administered, how long it is taking, or wanting to keep a particular asset. We wanted to dispel a few myths and answer some common questions.
Who can administer an estate? Where a will has been made, it is the named “executors” who can act. If there isn’t a will, the intestacy rules dictate who can deal with the estate, usually based upon what relatives are left behind. If the job falls to a group, say the children of the deceased, then there is no priority amongst them. Either they have to agree who will act, or it is a case of who gets the grant of probate quickest.
How long does a personal representative (‘PR’) have to administer an estate? There isn’t any fixed time limit, and it depends on how large and complex the estate is. Many, though, refer to ‘the executor’s year’. Essentially, if it hasn’t been completed within 12 months of the grant, questions can start to be asked and action potentially taken.
What are the duties of a PR? Ultimately, the job of administering an estate is to: sell or encash all the assets, pay off the liabilities, and distribute to the beneficiaries. It is only if all the beneficiaries agree that something different can happen. Therefore, if someone wants to buy out others’ interest in a property, or keep a family heirloom, then everyone has to agree. If not, then the asset will have to be sold on the open market, and the money then distributed.
Options & Actions The assistance we can provide in these situations include: finding out what is going on with the estate administration, ensuring the PR is doing their job properly, suing a PR if they have caused a loss to the estate or acted wrongly, applying to remove a PR from the role, appointing an independent professional to ensure the estate is administered properly, usually where executors or PRs can’t play nicely together, and avoiding any unnecessary delay on inheritance being received.
We’re here for you Porter Dodson Solicitors has a designated Contested Wills, Trusts and Estates Team who can provide advice and assistance where an inheritance question or dispute arises. To find out more, call 01823 625841.
Monthly updates from the various North Dorset Police Teams. This month’s news from Shaftesbury’s PC Rob Hammond
Shaftesbury has a two-person team, so they’re working hard on their primary targets of drugs, illegal drivers and support for the vulnerable, says PC Rob Hammond
Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have been working on their new Chief Constable’s vision & the Police Crime Commissioner’s priorities by working to keep local residents safe. There’s only two of us – so as you can imagine we work very hard! Where possible we provide a visible presence in town, and it was great to see so many people at the Food Fayre a few weeks ago. Of course we cannot be everywhere, nor can we resolve everything that is reported, but we do advise people to always report matters, as this allows us to build a picture of where we should patrol & any agencies to work with.
Keeping people safe Another important aspect of our role is to keep vulnerable people safe. This means visiting those in our community who may be vulnerable to exploitation or abuse or are repeat victims of crime. Talking with victims of crime and making sure they are treated well by visiting them is also a very important part of our service. Where possible we also visit your local pubs or work with them via our licensing team to make sure everything is safe for your evening’s out in town.
Drugs and driving The police team uses the information you give (or we learn) to disrupt any criminal activity, or stop it happening. According to our community surveys this means reducing the misuse of drugs in town as the community’s number one priority. Another concern high on your list is that of people driving illegally, and we often take cars that are not insured from persons who think they can get away with it (see photo above of a recent seizure in Shaftesbury). Clearly this second priority is not so easy for just the two of us (but bear in mind there are other police resources!) – so if you feel more NPT officers might make a difference in the town please feel free to ask our chief.
A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides advice
Q: “I recently applied for a job which offered National Minimum Wage. I went for an interview and at the end the manager asked me for some documents and also asked how old I was. I told her I was 25 and she said she would be in touch, but it would be unlikely I’d get the job because they wouldn’t be able to afford to pay me the required wage. She said she would prefer to hire someone younger. Is this legal?
A: Nobody should be asking you how old you are in a job interview. At 25, you’re entitled to the National Living Wage. On the Citizens Advice website there are full details of the wages people are entitled to by law. but these rules shouldn’t mean employers avoid hiring people because of how old they are. That’s known as ‘direct age discrimination’ in the Equality Act 2010. You’re also protected by the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, which says employers can’t not hire you (and they can’t fire you) simply because your age means you’re entitled to a higher rate. If you’ve been discriminated against, there are steps you can take. Make a note of what happened as soon as you can – noting down exactly what you were asked and any other remarks the interviewer made. This will be useful as evidence later. Next, you should write a letter of complaint to the employer. Keep a copy of this letter for your own records. There’s advice on the Citizens Advice website on what this letter should include and you can also speak to an adviser at your local Citizens Advice to get help writing it. If the letter doesn’t get an outcome you’re happy with, you could take the employer to an employment tribunal. You’ll need as much evidence of discrimination as possible. Evidence should include the job advert, the job description, your notes about what was said at the interview and any contact you’ve had with the employer since – like your complaint letter.
There’s a deadline Remember that you only have three months minus one day from the date that the ‘discriminatory act’ (in this case, the comments in your interview) happened to start tribunal proceedings. You do this by contacting the government organisation Acas and telling them that you intend to bring a claim. Nobody should have to worry about being discriminated against when job hunting.
For more advice on your rights when searching for work, visit citizensadvice.org.uk/work or call Citizens Advice on 0800 144 88 48.”
Cleaners – 15 to 20 hours PW term time inc. inset days with an additional 2 weeks at the end of the summer holidays; usually worked over a one week period at the end of August school holidays in agreement with the site manager. This is a permanent post.
Closing date: 10th July, interviews TBC – Dorset Grade 1 (£9.50 per hour) – please contact the school for an application form [email protected]
The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check in line with the Government’s safer recruitment guidelines. Sturminster Newton High school values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.This role is UK based and your ‘Right to Work’ will need to be established as part of the appointment process.
For further information please email Joanne Bruton [email protected]
Please note that we cannot accept CV applications for any of the above positions
have experience of working with children with complex needs
have experience of supporting pupils with intimate care plans
have experience of supporting pupils on the Autistic Spectrum
have a knowledge of how to support a pupil’s emotional needs as well as their academic development
are able to demonstrate a good use of initiative and responsibility to support pupils’ learning
are able to take on others ideas
Our curriculum is set up to explore learning through a hands-on approach that requires skilled professionals to have the ability to promote what is being seen as well as knowing the curriculum well enough to make connections with other areas of the curriculum at the same time; i.e. development of grammar through an investigation or the use of speech. Candidates need to also recognise the small steps that a child needs to take and how this is recorded as part of their Individual Learning Plan. This skilled role will enable a child to unlock their learning and become confident learners – a privileged position indeed.
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any post is confirmed.
Interested candidates are invited to call our Headteacher, Mr Graeme Wilson, to discuss the position and find out more about the school. Please contact the school by email or call the school office on 01963 32132. Application packs and further information are available from our school website: www.wincantonprimaryschool.co.uk/vacancies
Application forms should be returned to the Headteacher Mr. G. Wilson
by 9am on Thursday 30th June. Interviews will be held on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th July 2022.
Massage isn’t necessarily about scented candles, gentle pan pipe music and trying not to fall asleep, explains expert Mel Mitchell
Rest and recovery are just as important as your fitness and staying active. I know, I can hear you – rest? And recovery? Yes! Adding in a bit of ‘R and R’ and self care is an important part of any fitness routine, staying active or indeed as part of everyday living. As a sports massage therapist as well as a personal trainer I see first hand how important looking after yourself from both ends of the spectrum is.
What is sports massage? I occasionally get clients that have never had a sports massage before, and they are always a little unsure as to what the difference is between that and a normal massage. The massage that you would get as part of a spa treatment is nearly always aimed solely at relaxation and stress relief. Instead, sports massage is a physical therapy, designed to help correct specific problems – imbalances in soft tissue that have either led to injury, or that could potentially end up as one. Its aim is to target specifically tight or sore muscles in order to prevent injury and to improve performance and functionality (but don’t get me wrong, sports massage therapy can also be beneficial in terms of stress relief!).
Not just for the sporty There is also a misconception that sports massage is only for… people who do sports. I mean, I know, it is in the name. But without a shadow of a doubt, it can benefit anyone and everyone. Everyone is built to move, and our muscles get used on a daily basis, so of course muscles are going to potentially become tired, tight or dysfunctional. Think of your body as a car, filled with moving parts that become worn and that require regular maintenance in order to run efficiently. We all get everyday aches and pains, so why would it not benefit everyone? Another question I get asked regularly is how often? It very much depends on the individual, how active you are and how much the finances will allow. Once a month is generally the rule of thumb I like to follow. The most important thing to remember is prevention is better than cure!
Amy Ellis, the education officer for Wessex Rivers Trust, contacted William Barnes primary back in September 2020 with an exciting idea of creating a River Stour Trail with the children.
Amy Ellis, the education officer for Wessex Rivers Trust, creating a large interactive 3d model of a river from its source as a natural spring to its mouth as an estuary at the sea
The plan was for Year 5 to create the art work for a nature trail looping from the school, into the recreation ground and then along the banks of the river to Sturminster Newton Mill and back along the river to the school. Rather than using information boards, Amy envisaged posts with QR codes, linking to Wessex River’s website. The children would provide the artwork for the website and Wessex Rivers would provide the scientific and historical information for the trail. “Covid restrictions meant the project kept getting delayed, until we had just three days before the end of Summer term last year,” explained deputy head Richard Hull. The trail-making day itself was a great success. Amy began in the school hall, creating a large interactive 3d model of a river from its source as a natural spring to its mouth as an estuary at the sea. Afterwards, the children headed out to the banks of the Stour for some pond dipping and then returned to school to produce some breathtaking artwork using acrylics, oil pastels and charcoal. Full of ideas, Amy also had the children in hysterics playing various games as they learned about how animals adapt to their environments.
The trail is open After considerable hard work from Amy and the education team at Wessex Rivers, the project is now completed. Posts with QR codes are in place along the river, the artwork has been uploaded and a downloadable trail leaflet has been designed and shared with the local community. The children were delighted to see their paintings and drawings online as part of the trail, and were excited to see that the project has come to completion. Amy said: “It was a pleasure to work with William Barnes Primary. There is nothing like the sound of excited school children discovering what wildlife is hidden beneath the surface of their local river! The children produced some incredible art work to support the Wildlife and Heritage Trail which you can see by clicking here.”
The Wessex Rivers Trust offers subsidised education sessions to schools, uniformed groups and home education groups. If you are interested in getting involved in a similar project with your school or group then please contact Amy via – https://www.wessexrt.org.uk/
“These used to be one of my most requested bakes, loved by many of my clients. I made so many of these that I trialled them with all sorts of cuts of bacon and pastry types. This recipe is made using what is, in my opinion, the best combination; homemade rough puff pastry and thick cut streaky bacon from a butcher. I also highly recommend the use of lard if you are going to make the pastry – it adds a wonderful crispness to the pastry that you might not get just using butter. “If you decide you don’t have the time or the inclination to make your own pastry, then I recommend ready-rolled puff pastry, and swap for dry-cured, unsmoked streaky bacon from a supermarket – you may find that the thickness of butcher’s bacon overwhelms the pre-made pastry otherwise.” Heather x
Cheesy bacon twists – delicious warm from the oven with a cup of tea. Or frankly cold at any time of day… Image: Heather Brown
Ingredients
thick cut streaky bacon
parmesan cheese
225g strong white bread flour
115g butter
115g lard
pinch of salt
some cold water
1 egg
Directions
To make the pastry: Mix the salt into the flour and cut the butter and lard into chunks (approx. 1cm cubes) and add them to the mix. Toss the butter and lard pieces in the flour until they are coated.
Add the water a little at a time and, using a knife or a spatula, mix into the flour/butter mix until the dough just comes together. The aim is to create a ‘dough’ with the flour, but to still have lots of large lumps of butter and lard.
As soon as the dough has come together, tip out onto a floured work surface and shape into a large ‘brick’ shape. With your rolling pin, roll out the dough into a long rectangle of pastry. Take one of the ends and fold it into the middle and repeat with the other end – folding the dough into thirds. Press together with your hands to seal the ends. Cover with a sheet of cling film and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes.
Rotate the dough 90 degrees. Repeat the above by rolling out into a long strip, folding into 3 and sealing in. Cover and rest for 5-10 minutes.
Repeat this three more times.
Wrap the dough completely with clingfilm and pop in the fridge for at least an hour but overnight is also fine.
Once the pastry has had a good time to chill and for the butter to get nice and hard, preheat your oven to 200º fan (gas 6) and grease/line two baking trays.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out your pastry to a large rectangle about 0.5cm thick.
Grate over one half of the pastry a generous amount of parmesan and gently press in with your finger tips. Then fold the pastry over and press down. Rotate the pastry and roll out again to a large rectangle 0.5 cm thick.
Lay your bacon strips onto the pastry, covering the whole area with bacon. Cut around the pieces of bacon.
Take a strip of bacon and pastry together and twist it in your fingers and lay the twisted strips onto the baking tray.
Beat the egg lightly and then brush over the pastry that isn’t covered by bacon. Sprinkle over more parmesan cheese.
Bake in the oven for 20-35 minutes until golden brown and the pastry is cooked through. You’ll need less time for pre-made pastry and thinner bacon and more time for thick pastry and chunky bacon. Enjoy!
Cheesy bacon twists Image: Heather Brown
Heather Brown is on the committee of the Guild of Food Writers; a home economist with a passion for Dorset’s brilliant foodie scene. Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, championing Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working with her food industry clients.
